UP NEXT: PARTICK THISTLE

Partick Thistle will provide a stern test for Brighton & Hove Albion when they meet in Spain on Saturday.

Thistle are based in the Maryhill area of Glasgow, and live in the shadow of the city’s giants, Celtic and Rangers.

Having been promoted to the Scottish Premiership the year before last, after finishing top of the Scottish second tier, former player Alan Archibald led the side to 10th place in their first venture into the top flight for nine years.

This meant that they finished a creditable three points above Hibernian, who did go on to be relegated via the play-offs. Archibald made 423 appearances for the Jags in two spells and scored nine goals – separated by four years at Dundee United – placing him 10th on the club’s all-time appearance list.

Thistle have not been particularly busy thus far in the transfer market, signing just one player, Ryan Stevenson. The former Hearts midfielder left Tynecastle due to their relegation and restructuring under new owner Ann Budge. He put pen to paper on a two-year deal following his eight goals in 26 games for the Edinburgh club last season.

They have, however, lost a key man in Aaron Taylor-Sinclair following the expiry of his contract and subsequent departure to Wigan. The 23-year-old left-back was a regular last term, notching up 32 appearances and scoring one goal. In spite of this, they have managed to keep their hands on a number of players including goalkeeper Paul Gallacher and left-winger Steven Lawless.

Archibald has missed out on signing striker Lyle Taylor, who has returned to parent club Scunthorpe United. He netted seven goals on loan in the second half of last season, which contributed to Thistle staying up, but the former Sheffield United and Bournemouth forward has been recalled to the newly-promoted League One club.